Action taken by Warren County Fiscal Court on Tuesday moves the county’s septic-to-sewer project closer to reality. The four magistrates present at the morning meeting voted unanimously to approve a $7,600 expenditure out of Stormwater Management funds that will allow the Warren County Water District to develop financial software needed for the project.

The software will allow the water district to alter its billing process to handle the repayment of loans that will be part of the septic-to-sewer program.

A partnership between the Warren County Public Works Department and the Warren County Water District, the septic-to-sewer program is designed to help rural residents who live near sewer lines get an interest-free loan to connect to sewer.

Warren County Public Works Director Josh Moore explained that the program is set up to extend loans of up to $4,800 over four years for residents to connect to sewer.

“We haven’t rolled it out to anyone yet,” said Moore. “Once the water district gets the software working, we’ll get back to it. We should start after the first of the year.”

Warren County Water District General Manager John Dix said he expects the software upgrade to take 30 to 60 days.

“We’re going to make these loans, but we’re billing them out on the regular bills,” he said. “We’re not set up for that.”

Dix called the septic-to-sewer program “a great idea” that he thinks will attract some interest.

“You have to be on an existing septic tank” to take advantage of the program, Dix said. “There are several out there, so I’m sure there will be some people wanting to take advantage.”

The four magistrates (Doug Gorman and Tom Lawrence were absent) also approved a resolution consenting to the Inter-modal Transportation Authority’s sale of a tract in the Transpark to Carter Lumber, which is planning to build a 50-employee manufacturing center under its Kight Home Center brand.

Carter Lumber was approved in July by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority for $600,000 in tax incentives. The 70,000-square-foot Kight Home Center plant will produce roof and floor trusses, wall panels and other engineered wood products.

A Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development news release said Ohio-based Carter Lumber will invest $10 million in the plant, which is scheduled to open in late 2018 or early 2019.

The magistrates also approved entering into an $18,760 contract with Hale General Contracting for bathroom shower area reconstruction work at the Warren County Regional Jail. Hale Contracting was the only bidder on the project, explained Moore.

“We reached out to four local contractors, and Hale was the only one to submit a bid,” said Moore. “The work is challenging, so we only got the one bid.”

Hale General Contracting is owned by Terry Hale, husband of Fiscal Court Clerk Brenda Hale and the father of Warren County Attorney Amy Milliken.

In other action Tuesday:

• Magistrates approved spending $27,600 for floor covering at the new gymnasiums at Ephram White Park and Buchanon Park. The gyms are on target to open in December or January, said Warren County Parks and Recreation Director Chris Kummer.

• Magistrates approved six rezoning applications previously recommended for approval by the City-County Planning Commission. Among them was the 80-lot subdivision on property owned by Crossland Community Baptist Church near Phil Moore Park on Scottsville Road.

• Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon was granted authority to sign a certificate of title for the 2017 Pierce Pumper fire truck being used by the Smiths Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The truck replaces a 2006 Kenworth that was damaged and ruled a total loss after being hit by a tractor trailer on Interstate 65 last December. Insurance paid $225,000 on the truck plus more than $50,000 for equipment and tools. The new truck cost $460,000, according to Smiths Grove Fire Chief Kenneth Priddy, who described the new vehicle as a “multi-purpose” truck that can be used for rescues and for fighting fires.

• Magistrates approved the purchase of a $4,893 Trane heat pump condenser from Trane Supply for the Alvaton gymnasium.

• Magistrates approved a $9,000 change order to Woosley Brothers Painting for additional work at the SoKY Marketplace commercial kitchen and a $2,191.40 payment to United Refrigeration for a compressor and drier for the air conditioning unit at the Warren County Justice Center.